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Production hand skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted expert

Erin Dougherty

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical production hand skills. We ranked the top skills for production hands based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 71.7% of production hand resumes contained pallets as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a production hand needs to be successful in the workplace.

6 production hand skills for your resume and career

1. Pallets

Here's how production hands use pallets:

Assisted management with inventory, raw materials, pallet production and shipment while utilizing just-in-time inventory.
Certified forklift driver and electric Jack pallet operator.

2. Machine Operators

Machine operators, also known as machinists, refer to workers responsible for various machines with specific functions. Their duties include setting up equipment, loading materials, and operating machinery. The machine operators also monitor and optimize their operations for efficiency.

Here's how production hands use machine operators:

Observed equipment operations for detection of malfunction and notified machine operators when malfunction occurs.
Performed various material coordinating functions to ensure all materials were available for machine operators.

3. RAN

RAN stands for "revenue anticipation note," which refers to a practice where an organization (often the government) borrows money to support a specific project. When these funds are then repaid, the money given to the lenders comes from the profits generated by the business originally funded.

Here's how production hands use ran:

Operated tongs and also ran derrick for rods, pipes and pumping equipment.

4. Rig

Rigging includes designing, preparing, or setting up equipment for drilling operations. This skill is one of the main and most important activities in the oil and gas industry, whether it's for onboard operations or port operations. Rigging systems should have parts like master links, shackles, slings, and lifting bags for underwater lifting. Professionals working with rigging systems are responsible for tasks like operating platform lifts, forklifts, and overhead cranes.

Here's how production hands use rig:

Maintained oil rig for proper working order.
Assist in rig ups and rig downs.

5. CNC

CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control. It is a subtractive manufacturing technique that usually uses computerized controls and machine tools to strip layers of material from a stock piece.

Here's how production hands use cnc:

Performed as CNC operator for Horizontal Cincinnati Machine.
Machine (CNC) axle shafts from a raw forging state to a finished product ready for final assembly.

6. MIG

MIG is a specific type of welding in which two base materials are welded together using a solid wire electrode fed through a welding gun and into the weld pool.

Here's how production hands use mig:

Acquired the basics of MIG welding

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What skills help Production Hands find jobs?

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What production hand skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Erin Dougherty

Associate Professor of Costume Design Costume Director, Catawba College

Skills that broaden communication, and your ability to be flexible. We're seeing design/rendering software and patterning really move electronically to programs like Procreate and even CLO 3D, and of course Vectorworks for Light and Scenic. Pay attention to industry standards. It's helpful to be familiar with technology and have a wide swath of skills in your technical area-people want you to wear multiple hats and be at least a partial generalist as well as your specialty. The other thing is, we really need Technical Directors. That's an industry gap, and if you can fill a gap, you're hireable.

Do you want to know more?

List of production hand skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a production hand resume and required skills for a production hand to have include:

Pallets
Machine Operators

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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